12/9 - GEORGE FOX 83, WESTERN BAPTIST 52: Thomas' Hot First-Half Hand Fires Bruins by Warriors
NEWBERG, Ore. - Led by 18 points in the game's first 20 minutes from Kellie Thomas, the George Fox University Bruins exploded to a 20-point first-half lead and coasted to an 83-52 win over the Western Baptist College Warriors in a non-conference women's basketball game Thursday night here at the Wheeler Sports Center's Miller Gym.
George Fox never trailed in its home opener, although the Warriors forged four first-half ties, answering each of the Bruins' first four buckets with a goal of their own. A three-pointer by Thomas broke an 8-8 tie with 14:42 left in the half, and the Bruins were off to the races.
A pair of free throws by Thomas at the 10:37 mark put George Fox up by double digits for good at 26-15, and the Bruins broke the 20-plus barrier at 43-22 with 3:03 left on a layup by Kim Leith. It was 45-22 at the half, and the Warriors got no closer than 20 the rest of the game. The largest lead for the Bruins was 35 points at 81-46 on a jumper by Jordan Tangonan with 4:27 remaining.
Thomas finished with 23 points, including 4 three-pointers and 9-9 from the line, while Leith contributed 20 points, 12 in the second half. Robin Taylor chipped in with 11 points and Liz Clark scored 10. Leith grabbed 7 rebounds as the Bruins held a 50-36 rebound margin over the Warriors, who were playing without 6-1 starting center Cassie Llewellyn due to a knee injury. Clark and Tiffany Behary had 4 assists apiece, and Clark had 4 steals as the Bruins forced 24 Western turnovers.
Erin Plotts was the only Warrior in double figures with 13 points, and Jessica Steigleman had a team-high 7 rebounds. Jessi Schaumburg passed out 5 assists, and Tosha Wilson made 4 steals.
George Fox evened its record at 2-2, while Western Baptist slipped to 6-4 as its four-game winning streak was halted. The Bruins return to action Saturday, hosting Cascade College at 7:00 p.m. The Warriors visit Western Oregon University Friday for a 6:00 p.m. contest.